To Refuse, To Reject
transitive verb, godan verb
Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means cut off. What happens when you do the action of cutting someone off? You're going to refuse them whatever it is they want.
ことわる
Deciding to refuse something unfortunately starts a coat war (like a pillow fight, but everyone hits each other with coats instead of pillows). Coats to the ready, and let the coat war commence!
その仕事、断るべきだと思う？
Do you think I should refuse the job?
ビエトは次期国務長官に任命されたが、断った。
Viet was appointed as the next Secretary of State, but he refused.
野球の試合の主審を頼まれたけど、断りました。サッカーの試合の主審だったら引き受けたんだけどね。
I was asked to be the chief umpire for a baseball game, but I rejected the offer. I would have done it if it was for the chief referee of a soccer game though.